City Life

Madison Commons Media Digest, March 8, 2020

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Madison and Dane County

Rainbow murals could appear on Madison streets under new proposal, Abigail Becker, Capital Times, March 8. Madison could take another look at equipping police with body cameras, Chris Rickert, Wisconsin State Journal, March 7. Dane County Supervisors to introduce resolution opposing F-35 fighter jets at Truax Field, Abigail Becker, CT, March 5. Madison task force looking for public input to help decide future of city golf courses, Abigail Becker, CT, March 5. Community

From civic space to child care, East Side residents envision possibilities for proposed Reindahl Imagination Center, Abigail Becker, CT, March 4.

City Life

Friends of Hoyt Park maintain, improve community gathering place while creating lasting relationships

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Community interest and engagement in Hoyt Park has been integral to the park’s restoration and upkeep. The City of Madison gained property rights to the park in 1890, and at the time, the 24 acres of land was stone quarry, according to the City of Madison Parks Division’s website. Operations in the stone quarry ended in 1933, and the park began to be developed during the Great Depression when programs like the Works Progress Administration and Civil Works Administration employed workers to improve different areas of the land. 

City Life

East Side development brings concern, hope

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Madison has been drastically changing in recent years, and the East Side has been subject to much of this development. 

High-rise condos, a Festival Foods and music venues have replaced the parking lots and shuttered factories that once stood along the East Washington Avenue Corridor. The once-booming Oscar Mayer campus is heading toward a facelift, and the Darbo-Worthington neighborhood is preparing for an expansion of the existing Salvation Army campus at 630 E. Washington Ave. 

City Life

Vilas Park Master Plan looks to address water quality, pedestrian access

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Implementation of the Vilas Park Master Plan is underway as the Vilas Neighborhood Association (VNA) attempts to decrease algae blooms in Lake Wingra and improve issues with pedestrian safety in the park by fall 2020.

Throughout the process of the redesign, which began in late 2018, the Vilas Neighborhood Association asked for input from community members in the pursuit of an improved park area. The Association received two common themes in responses — increase pedestrian safety and improve the quality and health of Lake Wingra.

City Life

Madison Commons Media Digest, March 1, 2020

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Madison and Dane County

Opponents of F-35 fighter jets continue sounding alarm, Abigail Becker, Capital Times, Feb. 27. Madison City Council denounces deportation of Southeast Asians, Abigail Becker, CT, Feb. 26. Madison Alders propose task force to determine next steps on government reorganization, Abigail Becker, CT, Feb.

City Life

Madison AirBNB hosts could face more regulation, fees

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City officials and local AirBNB operators are struggling to find common ground amid recently proposed revisions to Madison’s Tourist Rooming House ordinance. The proposed revisions, sponsored by Alders Arvina Martin, Shiva Bidar, Patrick Heck and Marsha Rummel, include increased permit costs and new documentation requirements for hosts. The proposal has stirred conversations within the past few weeks. Officials intend to crack down on illegally-operating rentals to protect legal operators and try to increase neighborhood safety, but over two dozen people registered in opposition to the proposed changes. 

In Wisconsin, rental of a whole or partial residence to visitors for less than a month is legally known as a Tourist Rooming House (TRH). TRH establishments, better known by trade names like AirBNB and VRBO, have a stake in the success of Madison’s tourism, according to Diane Morgenthaler, Executive Vice President of the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Buerau.

City Life

Pink Tape Looks to “Flock the Vote”

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The Flock -- local pro soccer club Forward Madison FC’s rabid fan group -- is launching a new supporter group with a focus on civic engagement. 

Pink Tape 608’s leader, Amanda Hoadley, said the group will primarily focus on voter registration and education, and will hold educational and social events throughout the year. 

City Life

Madison Commons Media Digest, February 23, 2020

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Madison and Dane County

Madison leaders stress 2020 Census participation, open Census Bureau jobs, Abigail Becker, Capital Times, Feb. 18. Noise concerns top list of more than 6,400 comments on F-35 study; Air Force to release final version this month, Chris Hubbuch, Wisconsin State Journal, Feb. 18. Community

Dane County community groups team up to fight black infant mortality, Abigail Becker, CT, Feb.

City Life

Madison Commons Media Digest, February 16, 2020

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Madison and Dane County
Madison Community Development Authority board votes to hire armed security guards, Abigail Becker, CT, Feb. 14. Madison parks board recommends allowing leashed dogs at more city parks, Abigail Becker, CT, Feb. 13. Community
'It would be devastating': Hmong community reacts to deportation talks putting thousands at risk, Madalyn O'Neill, Channel 3000, Feb.

City Life

Madison Commons Media Digest, February 9, 2020

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Madison and Dane County

F-35s: Easements could lock homeowners out of noise reduction programs, Chris Hubbuch, Wisconsin State Journal, Feb. 7. Check to see if the the state Elections Commission thinks you may have moved, WSJ, Feb. 7. Madison City Council moves to prevent 'involuntary' use of plastic straws in restaurants, Abigail Becker, Capital Times, Feb.